Weekly Roundup: IFF and DuPont announce new operating model, Nestlé Health Science completes Zenpep and Viokace acquisition

15 May 2020 --- In nutrition news this week, IFF and DuPont announced a new operating model for their upcoming merger. Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) successfully completed the purchase of Zenpep and Viokace from Allergan. Meanwhile, Bioiberica Companion Animal Health launched Impromune to strengthen the immune system in dogs and cats. Lastly, PURA entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire a business producing a cannabidiol (CBD)-infused sun care product.

In brief: Business news
IFF and DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (N&B) have jointly announced a new operating model as well as its “purpose and vision” for the intended combined company. Flagging the potential of IFF and N&B to “shape the future” of the F&B industry, Andreas Fibig, IFF Chairman and CEO, who will continue these roles with the combined company, says “a leadership team, executive committee and operating philosophy has been identified.” The organization will include four divisions: Taste, Food & Beverage, Scent, Health & Biosciences and Pharma Solutions.

NHSc has successfully completed the purchase of Zenpep and Viokace, to expand its portfolio. The businesses were acquired from Allergan. Zenpep, available in the US, is a medication for treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis or other conditions for people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes. Viokace is another pancreatic enzyme preparation available in the US and Canada. “The additions of the products allow us to provide an even more robust range of products to support people with digestive difficulties,” notes Greg Behar, CEO of NHSc.

PURA has entered into an LOI to acquire a business producing a CBD-infused sun care product. In January, PURA launched a campaign to acquire CBD beverage, edible and topical businesses to include CBD businesses that targeted pet products. In February, PURA secured a US$5 million investment to fund. The venture is structured as a debt facility whereby funds can be drawn as needed to fund acquisitions. 

Ancient Nutrition, a health and wellness supplement brand, has unveiled a new line called SBO Probiotics.Food supplements supplier Aminolabs is set to adapt its operational activities in the sports nutrition powder market. This intention has a potential impact on 76 employees due to a possible closure of the production site in Zottegem, Belgium. In the coming weeks, the company’s management will enter into consultation with the union representatives to explain their intentions in detail and start the social dialogue together.

In brief: Launches and releases
Bioiberica Companion Animal Health has launched Impromune in Italy, by Azienda Terapeutica Italiana (ATI). This is a complementary food launched in Spain in 2011, which is recommended to strengthen the immune system in dogs and cats with immunosuppression problems. Impromune contains Nucleoforce, a specific nucleotide formula developed following a study of the specific needs of different mammal species. Nucleotides are semi-essential immunonutrients which, freely administered orally, contribute to the proper development of the immune system. 

Ancient Nutrition, a health and wellness supplement brand, has unveiled a new line called SBO Probiotics featuring four offerings: Ultimate, Gut Restore, Men’s and Women’s. Bringing together a combination of strain-diverse soil-based organisms (SBO) probiotics and an organic fermented blend of superfoods formulated specifically to support gut health and immune system health, the line provides consumers with a new shelf-stable, high-quality supplement comprised of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics in one convenient form. 

The International Alliance of Dietary Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) has launched its latest resource on its Mind the Gap platform to flag blue light and the serious harm it can do to eye health. Dubbed “The Dark Side of Blue Light,” the report explores how exposure to blue light has surged as a result of the increased use of smartphones, computer monitors and LED lighting. For example, it is estimated that people now spend an average of three hours and 15 minutes a day looking at phones – nearly 50 days every year. Until now, the irreversible degeneration of macular health has been most likely to start after the age of 50. Worryingly, however, there is evidence emerging that growing numbers of people are being impacted in their 40s. There is concern that greater exposure to blue light from smart devices and energy-efficient lighting is to blame.

US-based Lief Labs, a manufacturer of dietary supplements specializing in formulation and product development, has launched a complementary Good manufacturing practices (GMP) Starter Kit, which offers a guide to understanding cGMP regulations and FDA compliance for nutritional and dietary supplement brands. Among the valuable resources, Lief’s GMP Starter Kit provides examples of key documents, procedures, and regulations necessary for cGMP compliance.

In brief: Awards and certifications
Ingredient manufacturer Kemin has announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has positively assessed the safety of BetaVia Complete as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. This positive opinion will allow Kemin to be granted a five-year exclusivity on sales of BetaVia Complete in Europe. BetaVia Complete is an algae-sourced beta-glucan ingredient for year-round immune support. It is manufactured through a patented process using a proprietary strain of algae, Euglena gracilis ATCC PTA-123017, and is the first and only ingredient derived from this strain to be issued a positive opinion from EFSA.

Dr. Luciana Torquati has been awarded for her research on the role of the gut microbiome in endurance and exercise capacity. Orgain has announced the six finalists that are in the running to receive a total of US$150,000 provided by Orgain's Grants for Greater Good program. The following small businesses and startup brands stood out because they embody Orgain’s mission to inspire healthy, vibrant lives through their products or services: Aduri Connected Meditation System, Bissy Natural Energy Drinks, Charity Miles Health Tracker & Fundraiser App, Hakuna Brands Plant-Based Ice Creams, IncludeHealth Inclusive Training Equipment and Pulp Pantry Upcycled Wholesome Snacks. Orgain”s Grants for Greater Good program launched in February with the objective to uplift and support well-intentioned start-up companies dedicated to driving positive change in our world through the power of preventative health and wellness.

Amyris’ first health and nutrition ingredient received validation by a unanimous Panel of Medical Experts as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Following this successful validation, Amyris will submit an application for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) GRAS approval of this ingredient. It is currently not being named due to Amyris’s partner’s requirements, but is touted as having the “highest level of purity available today at the lowest cost,” and is made from a sustainable production process using fermentation.

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has announced Dr. Luciana Torquati, from the Department of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, UK as the recipient of the 2019-2020 BNF Drummond Pump Priming Award, for her research project on the role that the gut microbiome plays in endurance and exercise capacity. The annual award recognizes early stage nutrition scientists and supports them to gain their first substantial research grant. The winner of the award receives a £5,000 (US$6,000) grant, allowing them to undertake the pilot work needed to generate data that can be used as the basis of a more substantial grant application, enabling them to progress their research in the future.

Functional ingredients player AIDP has announced that its VegD3 product is now organic. VegD3 is a pure plant-based vitamin D3 that can be used as a 1:1 replacement for the animal sourced D3. Produced from a sustainable algae source, it offers superior purity and quality to the lanolin D3, the company says. The fully traceable supply chain is pesticide, protein and heavy metal compliant. Moreover, it is Vegan Society approved and there are no supply limitations. This is the only organic crystal Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) for vegans, AIDP notes.

In brief: Miscellaneous
The American Botanical Council (ABC) announced that Euromed, a Spain-based botanicals company, has adopted fig through its adopt-an-herb program. Euromed’s adoption will support ABC’s HerbMedPro database, ensuring that this unique research remains up to date for researchers, health professionals, industry members, students, consumers, and other members of the herbal and dietary supplement industries. HerbMedPro provides access to important scientific and clinical research data on the uses and health effects of more than 265 herbs, spices, medicinal plants and fungi.

The AHA study linked regular sugar drink consumption with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In brief: Research and study
Drinking one or more sugary beverages a day was associated with a nearly 20 percent greater likelihood of women having a cardiovascular disease compared to women who rarely or never drank sugary beverages. This is according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA). In the large, ongoing California Teacher’s Study, which began in 1995, participants included 106,000 women with an average age of 52, who had not been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Drinking one or more of any type of sugary beverage daily was associated with a 26 percent higher likelihood of needing a revascularization procedure, such as angioplasty to open clogged arteries, and a 21 percent higher likelihood of having a stroke compared to women who rarely or never drank sugary beverages. Sugary beverages in this study were defined as caloric soft drinks, sweetened bottled waters or teas and sugar-added fruit drinks, not 100 percent fruit juices.

Scientists from University of Southern California (USC) and the IFOM Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy, have found that a fasting-mimicking diet could be more effective at treating some types of cancer when combined with vitamin C. In studies on mice, researchers found that the combination delayed tumor progression in multiple mouse models of colorectal cancer; in some mice, it caused disease regression. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications. “We have demonstrated how a completely non-toxic intervention can effectively treat an aggressive cancer,” says Valter Longo, senior author and Director of the USC Longevity Institute at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. 

Oral supplementation with ExcelVite’s EVNol protects against retinal degenerative changes, as demonstrated in an in vivo study published in the journal Biomolecules. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of several diabetes related complications and now is the leading cause of new onset blindness among individuals aged 20 to 64 years old. In the study, the Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were divided into two treatment groups based on the route of administration of treatment. EVNol was given orally in a dose of 100 mg per kg body weight to rats in the oral treatment group (DTO). For topical application, 0.03 percent microemulsion formulation of EVNol was used in the topical treatment group (DTE). 

By Kristiana Lalou